Delivery of agents to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders

Abstract

Lubrication substrates are disclosed that have been treated with or that carry a lubricant for maintaining a paper shredder. The lubrication substrate is fed through the shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. Rather than requiring disassembly of the paper shredder, maintenance and lubrication can be performed by passing the lubrication substrate through the shredding mechanism. The lubrication substrates can take any of a variety of forms, and can be substantially rigid and/or stiff. The lubrication substrates can also include scented lubricants and decomposing agents. Paper shredders are also disclosed for use with the lubrication substrates. The paper shredders can have various means for identifying when lubrication is needed and/or when the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder is lubricated by a lubrication sheet. Paper shredders having a reservoir of lubricant for delivery to the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder are also disclosed.

1. A sheet for delivery of an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder comprising:
 a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a lubricating agent carried by the substrate; and 
 one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, wherein the one or more shell layers provide mechanical stiffness and/or rigidity to the sheet in addition to any stiffness and/or rigidity provided by the substrate by itself in order to help maintain the sheet in a more rigid configuration compared to the substrate by itself and thereby facilitate passing the sheet through a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. 
 
     
     
       2. A sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness and/or rigidity provided by the one or more shell layers facilitates cleaning of cutting elements of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       3. A sheet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a decomposition agent and/or a scented agent on the substrate. 
     
     
       4. A sheet for delivering an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising:
 a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a lubricating agent carried by the substrate; and 
 one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, wherein the one or more shell layers provide greater mechanical stiffness and/or rigidity to the sheet than the substrate by itself, 
 wherein the sheet has a stiffness and/or rigidity so as to facilitate cleaning, lubrication, and removal of debris from cutting elements of a paper shredder. 
 
     
     
       5. A sheet according to  claim 4 , wherein the substrate also contributes mechanical stiffness and/or rigidity to the sheet. 
     
     
       6. A sheet according to  claim 4 , wherein the one or more shell layers are impervious to the lubricating agent. 
     
     
       7. A sheet according to  claim 4 , further comprising a decomposition agent and/or a scented agent on the substrate. 
     
     
       8. A sheet for delivering a lubricating agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising:
 a first layer that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a second layer that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder adjacent to the first layer; and 
 a lubricating agent carried between the first and second layers, 
 wherein the first and second layers define a cavity there between within which only the lubricating agent is carried, wherein the cavity spans a width of the sheet between which the first and second lavers are sealed to one another at the edges of the sheet, and 
 wherein the first and second layers have a stiffness and/or rigidity so as to facilitate passing the sheet through a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder and retain an even distribution of the lubricating agent across a length and width of the sheet. 
 
     
     
       9. A sheet according to  claim 8 , further comprising a third layer adjacent to one of the first or second layers and having a stiffness and/or rigidity as to remain planar in order to facilitate passing the sheet through a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       10. A sheet according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second layers provide mechanical stiffness and rigidity to the sheet in order to facilitate removal of debris from cutting elements of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       11. A sheet according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second layers provide mechanical stiffness and rigidity to the sheet in order to facilitate cleaning of cutting elements of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       12. A sheet according to  claim 9 , further comprising a decomposition agent and/or a scented agent between the third layer and one of the first or second layers. 
     
     
       13. A sheet for dispersing a scented agent, comprising:
 a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a scented agent carried by the substrate, the scented agent being capable of releasing a fragrance; and 
 a second substrate separated by a barrier from the substrate carrying the scented agent, wherein the second substrate carries a lubrication and/or decomposition agent. 
 
     
     
       14. A sheet according to  claim 13 , wherein the fragrance is released only after the sheet is passed through the shredding mechanism. 
     
     
       15. A sheet according to  claim 13 , wherein the substrate carries a lubrication agent and/or a decomposition agent. 
     
     
       16. A sheet according to  claim 13 , further comprising a tab, wherein the tab is releasably attached to the substrate so as to allow selective release of the fragrance upon at least partial removal of the tab. 
     
     
       17. A sheet for delivery of an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder comprising:
 a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a lubricating agent carried by the substrate; and 
 one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, 
 wherein the substrate and/or the one or more shell layers have a shear strength and stiffness that promotes rupture of the sheet instead of stretching, thinning and/or clogging of a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder when passed therethrough. 
 
     
     
       18. A sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more shell layers have a mechanical stiffness and rigidity so as to remain planar and facilitate insertion of the sheet into an elongated slot of a paper shredder and retain an even distribution of lubricating agent across the sheet. 
     
     
       19. A sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more shell layers have a shear strength and stiffness that promotes rupture of the sheet instead of stretching, thinning and/or clogging of a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder when passed therethrough. 
     
     
       20. A sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness and/or rigidity provided by the one or more shell layers facilitates removal of debris from cutting elements of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       21. A sheet according to  claim 4 , wherein the sheet has a mechanical stiffness and rigidity so as to remain planar and facilitate insertion of the sheet into an elongated slot of a paper shredder and retain an even distribution of lubricating agent across the sheet. 
     
     
       22. A sheet according to  claim 4 , wherein the sheet has a shear strength and stiffness that promotes rupture of the sheet instead of stretching, thinning and/or clogging of a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder when passed therethrough. 
     
     
       23. A sheet according to  claim 4 , wherein the stiffness and/or rigidity of the sheet facilitates pushing debris out of a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       24. A sheet according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second layers have a mechanical stiffness and rigidity so as to remain planar and facilitate insertion of the sheet into an elongated slot of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       25. A sheet according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second layers have a shear strength and stiffness that promotes rupture of the sheet instead of stretching, thinning and/or clogging of a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder when passed therethrough. 
     
     
       26. A sheet according to  claim 8 , wherein the stiffness and/or rigidity of the first and second layers facilitates pushing debris out of a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. 
     
     
       27. A sheet according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and/or second layer carries imagery or text comprised of advertising and/or instructions for using the sheet. 
     
     
       28. A sheet for delivering a lubricating agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising:
 a first layer configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a second layer configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; and 
 a lubricating agent carried between the first and second layers, 
 wherein the first and second layers have a stiffness and/or rigidity so as to remain planar in order to facilitate passing the sheet through an elongated slot and into a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, 
 wherein the sheet includes a total of two layers, and 
 wherein the first and second layers define a cavity there between within which only the lubricating agent is carried, wherein the cavity spans a width of the sheet between which the first and second layers are sealed to one another at the edges of the sheet, and 
 wherein the first and second layers are sealed to one another only at the edges of the sheet. 
 
     
     
       29. A sheet according to  claim 28 , wherein the first and second layers have a mechanical stiffness and rigidity so as to:
 remain planar and facilitate insertion of the sheet into an elongated slot of a paper shredder and retain an even distribution of lubricating agent across the sheet, and/or 
 facilitate removal of debris from cutting elements of a paper shredder, and/or 
 facilitate cleaning of cutting elements of a paper shredder. 
 
     
     
       30. A sheet according to  claim 28 , wherein the first and second layers have a shear strength and stiffness that promotes rupture of the sheet instead of stretching, thinning and/or clogging of a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder when passed therethrough. 
     
     
       31. A sheet for delivering a lubricating agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising:
 a first shell layer configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a second shell layer configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; and 
 a lubricating agent carried between the first and second shell layers, 
 wherein the first and second shell layers have a stiffness and/or rigidity so as to remain planar in order to facilitate passing the sheet through an elongated slot and into a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, 
 wherein the first and second shell layers have a shear strength and stiffness that promotes rupture of the sheet instead of stretching, thinning and/or clogging of a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder when passed therethrough, and 
 wherein the first and second shell layers have a stiffness and/or rigidity that facilitates cleaning and/or removal of debris from cutting elements of a paper shredder 
 wherein the first and second shell layers define a cavity there between within which only the lubricating agent is carried, wherein the cavity spans a width of the sheet between which the first and second shell layers are sealed to one another at the edges of the sheet. 
 
     
     
       32. A sheet for delivery of an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder comprising:
 a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; 
 a lubricating agent carried by the substrate; and 
 one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, 
 wherein the one or more shell layers provide greater stiffness and rigidity to the sheet than the substrate by itself and a stiffness and/or rigidity so as to remain planar when positioned adjacent to the substrate in order to facilitate passing the sheet through an elongated slot and into a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder.